The  College 
Ihe  Graduate  School 
The  Extension  Service 
IheBiperiment  Station 


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THE 

M.  A.  C.  Bulletin 

AMHERST,  MASS. 

Volume  IV    Number  5    September  1912 


Published  Six  Times  a  Year  by  the 
MASSACHUSETTS  AGRICULTURAL  COLLEGE 

January,  February,  March,  May,  September,  October 


Entered  as  second  class  matter  at  the  post  office,  Amherst,  Mass. 


1912 


College  Calendar 


1913 


1912 


September  4-7 
September  1 1 
November  27 
December  2    . 
December  20  . 


Entrance  Examinations 
First  Semester  Begins 
Thanksgiving  Recess  Begins 
Thanksgiving  Recess  Ends 
Christmas  Recess  Begins 


1913 

January  6 Christmas  Recess  Ends 

February  3 Second  Semester  Begins 

March  28 Spring  Recess  Begins 

April  7 Spring  Recess  Ends 

May  30 Memorial  Day,  Holiday 

June  14-18 Commencement 

June  18-21 Entrance  Examinations 


T  IS  the  purpose  of  this  pamphlet 
to  describe  briefly  the  various 
phases  of  the  mission  of  the 
Massachusetts  Agricultural  Col- 
lege. 

In  particular  it  outlines  the  college 
instruction  offered  as  a  preparation  for 
the  agricultural  vocations,  and  contains 
general  information  of  interest  to  pro- 
spective college  students. 

Any  person  contemplating  a  college 
education  is  invited  to  ask  for  a  complete 
catalog  of  the  institution. 

Special  reports,  announcements  and 
bulletins  are  issvied  by  the  Experiment 
Station  and  by  the  Extension  Service; 
all  are  for  free  distribution. 

Copies  of  this  illustrated  booklet  w^ill 
be  sent  upon  request. 

KENYON  L.  BUTTERFIELD, 

President. 
Amherst,  Mass. 


'"^'^^  Massachusetts  Agricultural  College  is  designed 
primarily  to  benefit  the  agriculture  and  rural  life 
of  the  state,  and  incidentally  that  of  the  nation. 

In  its  attempt  to  meet  this  obligation  the 
College  recognizes  three  types  of  endeavor  which 
are  at  the  same  time  distinct  and  coordinate.  The 
first  is  that  of  investigation;  the  methods  here 
followed  are  those  of  research,  experimentation 
and  the  agricultural  survey.  By  scientific  research 
there  is  gained  a  knowledge  of  the  fundamental 
natural  laws  which  govern  the  growth  of  plants 
and  animals.  The  purpose  of  experimentation  is  to  ascertain  the  best 
methods  of  applying  to  actual  operations  the  general  principles  which 
are  revealed  by  research.  The  term  "agricultural  survey"  is  used  to 
designate  that  form  of  investigation  which  seeks  to  determine  by  a 
careful  study  the  exact  agricultural  status,  in  all  its  phases,  of  a  given 
community;  thus  as  a  result  of  a  thorough  agricultural  survey  of  a 
locality  it  would  be  known  for  what  crops  the  soil  and  climate  are  best 
adapted,  what  cultural  methods  will  be  found  most  profitable,  and  the 
extent  to  which  each  agricultural  enterprise  is  or  may  be  carried;  the 
economic  phase  of  agriculture  also  becomes  a  part  of  such  a  study;  facts 
regarding  cost  of  production,  transportation,  methods  and  cost  of  distri- 
bution, supply  and  demand,  may  all  be  brought  together  and  placed  at 
the  service  of  the  farmer. 

The  individual  farmer  may  by  years  of  experience  and  close  study 
learn  for  himself  much  of  what  is  here  suggested;  but  not  all  farmers 
can  afford  to  learn  these  things  by  personal  experience.  Since  it  is  desir- 
able from  an  economic  standpoint  that  every  acre  of  land  be  so  culti- 
vated as  to  produce  a  maximum  crop,  it  is  clearly  the  legitimate  func- 
tion of  the  state  to  undertake  these  large  projects  which  result  in  added 
material  prosperity  not  only  to  the  individual,  but  to  the  country  as 
well. 

The  second  method  employed  by  the  College  in  the  fulfilment  of 
its  mission  is  that  of  teaching  those  who  enroll  as  resident  students.  Some 
of  the  agricultural  vocations  for  which  its  students  are  trained  are  those 


of  practical  farming,  including  dairying,  gardening  and  orcharding; 
professional  experts  in  landscape  gardening,  botany,  chemistry,  entomol- 
ogy and  similar  departments ;  specialists  in  agricultural  science  or 
practice,  such  as  teachers,  investigators  and  extension  workers  employed 
in  agricultural  colleges,  experiment  stations  and  the  United  States 
Department  of  Agriculture;  experts  in  fertilizer  and  other  agricultural 
business  enterprises;  social  workers  for  rural  communities,  such  as 
country  teachers,  clergymen,  Y.  M.  C.  A.  secretaries  and  similar  pro- 
fessions in  which  service  to  the  rural  people  is  the  chief  object.  Not 
only  does  the  College  attempt  to  better  equip  men  for  successful  careers, 
but  it  aims  also  to  educate  them  in  the  principles  of  good  citizenship, 
to  inspire  in  them  a  desire  to  render  service  to  society,  and  to  acquaint 
them  with  the  social,  economic  and  governmental  problems  of  the  day. 
The  third  phase  of  the  task  of  the  College  is  regarded  to  be  that 
of  disseminating  agricultural  knowledge  to  all  people  of  the  state  and 
of  assuming  an  attitude  of  leadership  or  of  co<Jperation  in  various  projects, 
educational,  social  or  economic,  which  tend  to  benefit  agriculture  and 
country  life.    This  type  of  work  is  organized  as  the  Extension  Service. 


Scene  North  of  the  Campus 


History 

The  Massachusetts  Agricultural  College  was  chartered  in  1863  and 
admitted  its  first  class  of  students  four  years  later.  The  institution 
received  its  original  endowment  from  the  federal  government  through 
the  so-called  "Morrill  Act;"  but  its  first  buildings  were  provided  for  by 
local  subscription,  and  the  funds  for  maintenance,  additional  buildings, 
equipment  and  land  have  been  granted  by  the  state. 

During  the  past  few  years  the  College  has  constantly  grown  in 
numbers;  in  1901  there  were  enrolled  134  regular  students;  five  years 
later  the  attendance  had  increased  to  219,  and  in  191 1  to  475.  Not  only 
has  the  number  of  resident  students  increased,  but  by  the  work  of  the 
Experiment  Station  and  through  the  various  Short  Courses  and  other 
forms  of  Extension  Service,  the  influence  of  the  institution  throughout 
the  state  is  now  felt  more  strongly  than  formerly. 


Location 

The  College  is  located  in  the  Connecticut  valley  twenty-five  miles 
north  of  Springfield  and  ninety-eight  miles  west  of  Boston.  The  estate 
of  over  500  acres  lies  about  a  mile  north  of  the  village  of  Amherst.  The 
natural  surroundings  of  inspiring  beauty  soon  endear  the  student  to  the 
place  and  create  memories  long  to  be  cherished. 

Electric  cars  pass  the  College  from  the  railway  stations  and  connect 
the  village  with  Northampton,  Holyoke  and  Springfield. 


Entrance  Requirements 

The  requirements  for  admission  are  similar  to  those  of  other  New 
England  colleges  in  that  they  are  based  on  the  satisfactory  completion 
of  a  four  years'  high-school  course  or  its  equivalent.  The  requirements 
may  be  met  by  examination,  by  credentials  of  the  Regents  of  the  State 
of  New  York  or  by  a  satisfactory  certificate  presented  from  an  approved 
academy  or  high  school.  Women  are  accepted  on  the  same  conditions 
as  are  men. 

Entrance  requirements  are  stated  in  the  form  of  units,  one  unit 
being  the  equivalent  of  four  or  five  recitations  a  week  for  a  school  year. 
In  the  schedule  printed  below,  the  nine  units  of  group  A  are  required; 
enough  more  studies  must  be  selected  from  group  B  to  make  a  total  of 
fourteen,  the  necessary  number  for  admission. 

GROUP  A.    REQUIRED. 

English, 3 

French  or  German, 2 

United  States  History  and  Civics j 

History  (elective), 1 

(a)  Ancient  History. 

(b)  Medieval  and  Modern  History. 

(c)  English  History. 

(d)  General  History. 

Algebra,  through  progressions, 1  j 

Plane  Geometry, 1 

Total 9 

GROUP  B.    SELECT  SUBJECTS  AMOUNTING  TO  FIVE  UNITS. 

English  in  addition  to  requirements, 1 

French  in  addition  to  requirements. 2  or  1 

German  in  addition  to  requirements 2  or  1 

Greek, 2  or  3 

Latin 2  or  3 

History  in  addition  to  requirements, I,  2  or  3 

Solid  Geometry, -j 

Trigonometry, -j 

Chemistry, I 

Physiography ^ 

Physiology j 

Agriculture, i  or  1 

Botany, 2  or  1 

Geology, i 

Physics, 1 

Zoology i 

Commercial  Geography ^ 

Drawing ^ 

Manual  Training, i  or  I 


Courses 

The  regular  college  course  is  ordinarily  completed  in  four  years; 
at  the  end  of  this  period  the  student  is  graduated  with  the  degree  of 
Bachelor  of  Science.  The  program  of  studies  followed  during  the  course 
has  two  objects:  one  to  offer  the  student  a  comprehensive  and  fairly 
thorough  preparation  for  the  agricultural  vocation  which  he  may  choose; 
the  other  to  afford  him  a  liberal  college  education  without  regard  for 
future  occupation.  Thus  in  the  past  men  have  found  the  course  an 
admirable  foundation  for  business,  law,  medicine  and  other  professions. 

The  work  of  the  first  two  years  is  largely  prescribed  and  is  taken  in 
the  following  studies: 

IN  THE  FRESHMAN  YEAR.  IN  THE  SOPHOMORE  YEAR. 

Algebra,  Agricultural  Industry 

Animal  Husbandry,  Agronomy, 

Chemistry,  Animal  Husbandry, 

English,  Botany, 

French  or  German,  Chemistry, 

Hygiene,  English, 

Military  Drill  and  Physical  French  or  German 

Education,  Geology, 

Public  Speaking,  Horticulture, 

Solid  Geometry,  Military  Drill  and  Physical 

Trigonometry.  Education, 

Physics, 

Surveying, 

Zoology. 

For  the  junior  and  senior  years  a  liberal  elective  system  is  in  opera- 
tion. Fourteen  teaching  departments  of  the  College  present  major 
courses;  at  the  close  of  his  sophomore  year  a  student  elects  work  in 
one  of  these  departments  and  thereafter  studies  chiefly  that  group  of 
subjects  which  in  the  judgment  of  his  college  advisor  will  best  prepare 
him  for  the  life  work  which  he  has  chosen.  While  pursuing  this  program 
of  work,  however,  the  student  is  required  to  take  a  certain  number  of 
courses  in  the  humanities  and  in  rural  social  science,  but  he  still  has 
time  for  a  considerable  amount  of  additional  work  which  he  may  choose 
with  freedom. 

At  present  major  courses  may  be  elected  in  the  departments  listed 
below;  on  succeeding  pages  of  this  booklet  will  be  found  a  brief  descrip- 
tion of  the  purpose  and  opportunities  of  these  majors,  and  information 
also  as  to  the  equipment  available  and  courses  given. 

Major  courses  now  offered: 

In  Agriculture:       Agriculture,  In  Horticulture:     General  Horticulture, 

Agronomy,  Floriculture, 

Animal  Husbandry,  Forestry, 

Dairying,  Landscape  Gardening, 

Poultry  Husbandry.  Pomology. 

In  Science:     Agricultural  Chemistry, 
Economic  Entomology, 
Plant  Physiology  and 
Pathology. 
In  Rural  Social  Science:     Agricultural  Education. 


The  Farm  and  Farm  Buildings 


Agriculture 

The  major  in  agriculture  is  arranged  for  those  who  wish  to  prepare 
for  the  work  of  the  general  farm;  students  who  wish  to  specialize  in 
farm  administration  are  also  advised  to  elect  the  major  in  agriculture. 
In  addition  it  offers  to  students  who  have  not  definitely  decided  to  special- 
ize along  a  single  line  an  opportunity  to  study  more  carefully  the  different 
branches  of  agriculture. 

The  work  may  be  arranged  to  suit  the  needs  of  the  individual  student 
but  it  will  be  made  up  largely  of  technical  courses  offered  in  the  different 
departments  of  the  division  of  agriculture  together  with  chemistry  and 
veterinary  science.  The  equipment  for  the  work  includes  the  college 
farm  of  about  250  acres,  well  stocked  and  equipped,  in  addition  to  the 
special  apparatus  available  for  the  different  departments. 

For  those  with  some  capital  to  invest,  the  opportunities  for  suc- 
cessful farming  are  excellent  in  New  England,  and  few  lines  of  business 
offer  equal  advantages  to  those  who  are  fond  of  country  life.  There  is 
also  a  constant  demand  for  well-trained  men  with  practical  experience  as 
farm  superintendents  and  managers.  The  organization  of  separate 
departments  of  farm  administration  or  farm  management  in  the  agri- 
cultural colleges  of  the  country  is  comparatively  recent  and  for  some 
time  to  come  there  is  likely  to  be  a  demand  for  good  teachers  of  this  work. 
In  all  these  lines  practical  experience  is  essential  to  success  and  those 
who  major  in  agriculture  are  advised  to  spend  all  the  vacations  of  their 
college  course  in  actual  work  upon  good  farms. 

10 


Agronomy 

The  purpose  of  the  major  in  agronomy  is  to  train  men  to  fulfil  the 
technical  requirements  of  teaching  and  investigational  work  in  the  field 
of  crop  production.  The 
department  has  avail- 
able for  teaching  pur- 
poses the  college  farm, 
on  which  are  produced 
all  the  crops  commonly 
raised  on  the  general 
farm  in  New  England, 
the  agricultural  depart- 
ment of  the  Experiment 
Station  which  carries  on 
a  large  number  of  fertil- 
izer experiments,  variety 
tests,  and  the  like,  and 
laboratories  equipped  for 
soil  and  for  seed  study. 

Students  electing  the  major  in  agronomy  are  required  to  take  sev- 
eral courses  in  the  department  itself,  courses  in  organic  chemistry,  in 
bacteriology  and  such  work  in  the  departments  of  farm  administration 
and  animal  husbandry  as  is  closely  related  to  agronomy.  In  addition, 
students  are  urged  to  elect  courses  in  vegetable  pathology  and  economic 
entomology.  The  aim  is  to  give  the  student  such  training  as  will  aid  him 
in  solving  the  new  problems  which  are  constantly  arising  in  field  work 
in  crop  production. 


Haying- 


~t<t~~  -  •  '•'-  "sS* 


Farm  Barns 


Animal  Husbandry 


Those  deciding  upon  animal  husbandry  as  their  major  pursue 
studies  in  the  feeding,  breeding,  management  and  judging  of  Uve  stock; 
they  are  also  advised  to  elect  courses  in  other  agricultural  subjects  and 
in  veterinary  science. 

This  department  has  at  its  disposal  a  stock-judging  arena  which  is 
utilized  as  a  class  room,  for  demonstrations  and  for  stock  shows.  The 
college  herd  of  cows,  its  stable  of  horses  and  other  groups  of  animals, 
comprise  the  breeds  and  types  of  live  stock  of  chief  economic  importance 
in  New  England  and  are  used  constantly  by  the  department  of  animal 
husbandry  for  teaching  purposes. 

Instruction  in  this  department  is  of  such  a  nature  as  to  afford  stu- 
dents a  clear  insight  into  the  scientific  principles  of  animal  breeding 
and  in  addition  to  furnish  them  a  practical  knowledge  of  the  entire 
management  of  live  stock  on  the  farm,  for  show  purposes,  or  in  enter- 
prises where  the  breeding  and  improvement  of  animals  is  the  chief  end 
in  view 


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Part  of  the  College  Herd 


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Flint  Laboratory— Dairying 


Dairying 

The  purpose  of  the  course  in  dairying  is  to  afford  the  student  a 
training  in  the  economical  production  of  milk  and  in  the  best  methods 
of  making  and  handling  market  milk  and  farm  dairy  products. 

The  equipment  consists  of  a  new  dairy  building,  costing  $85,000, 
that  will  accommodate  one  hundred  students  in  the  laboratories.  These 
laboratories  are  fully  equipped  with  up-to-date  dairy  apparatus.  Along 
with  this  equipment  there  is  available  for  use  the  college  certified  milk 
plant  which  produces  certified  milk  for  the  Boston  market. 

The  course  consists  of  work  in  milk  analysis,  dairy  bacteriology, 
market  milk  and  cream  and  the  manufacture  of  butter  and  other  dairy 
products.  In  addition  to  these  is  studied  economical  milk  production; 
types  and  breeds  of  dairy  cattle;  their  breeding,  feeding,  care,  manage- 
ment and  selection;  general  problems  of  farm  management,  farm  build- 
ings and  farm  bookkeeping.  The  course  consists  of  lectures,  text-book 
work  and  the  actual  handling  of  materials  and  stock. 

More  and  better  opportunities  are  opening  each  year  for  teachers, 
dairy  farm  superintendents,  foremen  and  dairymen  that  have  training 
and  experience. 


13 


Poultry  Husbandry 


The  purposes  of  the  major  in  poultry  husbandry  are:  first,  to  give 
a  broad  scholastic  training  in  this  subject  both  scientific  and  practical; 
second,  to  prepare  young  men  and  women  to  raise  poultry  more  profitably 
as  a  side  line  on  the  farm  or  as  the  main  enterprise;  third,  to  furnish 
opportunity  for  students  to  prepare  themselves  for  teaching  or  experi- 
ment station  work. 

The  poultry  plant  occupies  an  area  of  seven  acres  of  land  and  at 
present  has  the  following  equipment  at  its  disposal:  a  laying  house 
divided  into  20  pens;  an  open-pipe  brooder  house  that  will  accommodate 
about  1,200  chicks;  an  incubator  cellar  with  demonstration  building 
above;  laboratories  for  killing,  picking,  dressing,  caponizing  and  fatten- 
ing; a  well  fitted  shop  for  poultry  carpentry;  a  large  feed  and  storage 
building  containing  a  laboratory  for  poultry  mechanics,  equipped  with 
feed  grinders,  bone  cutters,  feed  cutters,  etc.;  a  large  number  of  colony 
houses;  and  twenty  varieties  of  birds,  numbering  about  1 ,600. 

The  increased  demand  and  good  prices  for  poultry  products,  the 
ideal  soil  and  good  climate,  make  Massachusetts  a  very  desirable  field 
for  poultry  culture.  That  poultry  is  the  most  profitable  class  of  animals 
on  the  farm  is  practically  the  universal  verdict  among  farmers  who  give 
some  attention  to  their  fowls. 

The  demand  for  managers  of  poultry  farms  and  instructors  in 
poultry  husbandry  in  high  schools  and  colleges  is  rapidly  increasing 
and  at  present  a  large  number  of  positions  offering  good  salaries  cannot 
be  filled  because  young  men  are  not  to  be  found  who  have  had  both  scien- 
tific and  practical  training. 


14 


Wilder  Hall— Horticulture 


General  Horticulture 

This  major  is  designed  to  prepare  students  for  work  in  the  growing 
of  fruits  and  vegetables,  with  some  slight  attention  to  ornamental  plant- 
ing. The  program  of  studies  required  is  varied  to  suit  the  needs  of 
individuals;  in  this  way  the  student  may  emphasize  either  pomology, 
market  gardening,  floriculture,  forestry  or  landscape  gardening.  A 
considerable  demand  exists  for  teachers  of  horticulture  in  colleges  and 
high  schools  and  such  persons  are  required  to  have  a  working  knowledge 
of  the  several  branches  enumerated. 

A  large  area  of  the  college  estate  is  set  aside  for  use  by  the  depart- 
ment of  horticulture.  There  is  also  found  on  the  grounds  a  large  collec- 
tion of  trees,  shrubs  and  herbaceous  plants  from  the  study  of  which  the 
student  may  gain  a  wide  knowledge  of  plant  materials. 

Wilder  Hall  is  the  administrative  seat  of  the  division  of  horticul- 
ture.   Here  are  found  several  business  offices,  class  rooms  and  laboratories. 


15 


Floriculture 

This  department  aims  to  give  men  a  thorough  knowledge  of  the 
growing  of  all  commercial  florist  crops  both  under  glass  and  outdoors. 
It  also  aims  to  acquaint  men  with  methods  to  be  followed  in  growing 
all  conservatory  plants  so  that  those  men  who  have  charge  of  large 
private  estates  where  cut  flowers  and  ornamental  plants  are  grown  may 
be  familiar  with  all  branches  of  this  work.  The  course  is  therefore  planned 
for  the  young  man  who  wishes  to  engage  in  the  florist  business  for  himself 
and  for  the  man  who  intends  to  work  for  another  either  in  a  com- 
mercial range  or  on  a  private  estate.  The  courses  are  planned  to  give 
both  scientific  and  technical  information  along  all  lines. 

The  department  is  splendidly  equipped  with  a  new  range  where 
florist  crops  are  grown  under  the  best  possible  conditions;  these  houses 
are  up-to-date  in  every  respect.  The  old  range  serves  to  illustrate  older 
methods  of  construction  as  well  as  to  house  many  specimen  plants  of 
the  conservatory  type.  There  are  numerous  progressive  florist  establish- 
ments in  the  vicinity  and  frequent  observation  trips  are  taken  to  acquaint 
students  with  methods  followed  on  these  ranges. 

The  demand  for  graduates  on  commercial  ranges  has  not  been  as 
large  as  in  some  other  branches  of  horticulture  but  there  is  an  increasing 
demand  for  these  men.  Florists  are  becoming  alive  to  the  fact  that  an 
education  is  as  essential  for  success  in  this  line  as  in  any  other  and  there 
is  an  increasing  number  of  openings  every  year  for  men  on  commercial 
places.  The  larger  number  of  graduates,  however,  go  on  private  estates 
or  into  experiment  stations  or  college  work.  The  call  for  men  in  these 
lines  during  the  last  few  years  has  been  greater  than  the  supply. 


French  Hull  — Floriculture  and  Market  Gardening 

16 


Forestry 


The  forestry  work  in  the  Massachusetts  Agricultural  College  differs 
from  that  in  the  well-known  forestry  schools  in  the  fact  that  it  is  given  to 
students  of  undergraduate  grade.  Most  of  the  separate  forestry  schools 
require  graduation  from  college  before  admission  to  their  forestry  courses 
is  allowed.  Forestry  work  in  this  institution  has  two  principal  purposes; 
(a)  to  give  farmers,  farm  superintendents,  landscape  gardeners  and  others 
a  good  general  working  knowledge  of  the  elementary  principles  of  for- 


estry; (b)  to  prepare  men  for  graduate  work  in  the  advanced  forestry 
schools.  When  elected  as  a  major  the  courses  will  tend  chiefly  toward  the 
latter. 

The  large  tracts  of  woodland  located  in  the  vicinity  of  the  college 
illustrate  many  forestry  problems  and  afford  ample  opportunity  for 
practical  demonstrations  of  forestry  methods.  A  large  amount  of  prac- 
tical work  enters  into  the  program  of  this  major. 


17 


Landscape  Gardening 

Students  who  graduate  from  the  courses  in  landscape  gardening 
find  positions  in  city  park  work,  in  the  care  of  trees,  as  assistants  to 
estabUshed  landscape  gardeners,  and  a  certain  number  of  them  after 
sufficient  practical  experience  take  up  profitably  landscape  gardening 
on  their  own  account;  men  who  have  followed  this  calling  have  for  the 
most  part  met  with  eminent  success.  The  courses  in  this  line  have  been 
well  developed  through  several  years'  experience  and  the  department  is 


Practical  Work  in  Landscape  Gardening 


adequately  equipped  with  instructors,  laboratories,  apparatus  and 
materials. 

Field  work,  the  preparation  of  planting  and  grading  plans,  and 
text-book  study  are  required  in  this  course.  For  purposes  of  observation 
and  study,  classes  in  landscape  gardening  make  frequent  visits  to  parks 
and  large  private  estates  in  Amherst  and  nearby  cities  and  towns. 

The  landscape  gardening  laboratories  are  located  in  Wilder  Hall. 


18 


Pomology 

The  courses  in  pomology  are  planned  with  a  view  to  equipping  the 
student  with  both  theoretical  and  practical  knowledge  of  the  subject. 
Special  emphasis  is  laid  upon  actual  field  work  and  every  student  is 
required  to  go  into  the  orchards  and  perform  such  operations  as  pruning, 
spraying  and  fertilizing.  To  provide  for  this  work  the  department  is 
assigned  about  30  acres  of  orchards,  vineyards  and  small  fruit  planta- 
tions. It  also  has  all  the  most  improved  implements  and  apparatus  for 
cultivating,  spraying  and  pruning. 

Another  phase  of  the  work  which  is  given  special  prominence  is  that 
of  packing  and  marketing  fruit.  The  department  is  equipped  with  a 
thoroughly  modern  fruit  storage  house  which  has  a  capacity  of  3,000 
barrels;  in  this  building  is  a  large  class  room  for  work  in  packing  and, 
in  addition,  five  storage  rooms. 

The  work  in  pomology  is  divided  into  four  courses:  (1)  plant  propa- 
gation in  which  the  student  is  taught  all  the  methods  of  multiplying 
plants  such  as  cuttings,  grafting  and  budding;  (2)  practical  pomology 
where  such  work  as  laying  out  orchards,  pruning,  spraying  and  fertil- 
izing is  taught;  (3)  systematic  pomology  or  a  study  of  the  fruits  them- 
selves; in  this  work  the  college  is  supplied  with  a  large  number  of  varieties 
of  all  the  different  classes  of  fruits,  while  collections  are  exchanged  with 
many  other  colleges  from  Maine  to  Oregon;  and  (4)  commercial  pomology 
or  the  packing  and  marketing  of  fruits. 

There  is  always  a  demand  for  men  of  energy  and  ability  who  have 
been  thoroughly  trained  in  pomology.  Some  of  them  go  into  agricultural 
colleges  or  experiment  stations,  others  become  managers  on  farms  or 
estates,  while  still  others  take  up  work  for  themselves  in  raising  fruit. 


irlli.e^i^^Sji.Silits^t.iE^^ 


Spraying  in  the  College  Orchard 

19 


Agricultural  Chemistry 

The  major  in  agricultural  chemistry  allows  men  to  gain  sufficient 
knowledge  of  chemistry  to  be  able  to  apply  it  to  agriculture  and  the 
chemical  problems  with  which  agriculture  is  surrounded. 

The  major  work  is  built  on  the  courses  in  general  chemistry  and 
qualitative  analysis  and  consists  of  three  rather  distinct  lines  of  work: 
organic  and  physiological  chemistry,  quantitative  analysis,  and  physical 
chemistry;  each  line  is  separate  and  distinct  and  at  the  same  time  corre- 
lated and  dependent.  Particular  attention  is  given  to  the  examination 
of  a  variety  of  agricultural  material  such  as  fertilizers,  cattle  feeds,  soils, 
dairy  products  and  farm  crops. 

A  whole  building  is  given  to  the  department,  the  different  kinds  of 
work  having  their  own  special  rooms.  A  well  equipped  chemical  library 
is  at  the  disposal  of  the  student. 

The  graduates  who  have  followed  chemistry  while  in  college  are  now 
spread  over  all  parts  of  the  world.  Some  have  connected  themselves  with 
the  government  and  state  agricultural  work  in  Washington  and  the 
experiment  stations  of  several  states.  Many  are  chemists  in  fertilizer 
works,  acid  plants  and  other  agricultural  industries.  Still  others  have 
followed  their  inclination  to  do  executive  work  and  have  become  managers 
and  owners  of  chemical  plants  connected  with  agriculture.  Opportunity 
is  offered  for  advanced  study  leading  to  the  degree  of  Master  of  Science. 


Chemistry  Laboratory 


20 


Laboratory  for  Entomology  and  Zoology 


Economic  Entomology 

The  primary  purpose  of  the  major  In  economic  entomology  is  to 
train  those  taking  it  in  the  methods  of  controlling  injurious  insects  and 
the  best  ways  in  which  their  ravages  may  be  checked.  The  courses  are 
arranged  in  such  a  way  as  to  supply  this  knowledge  as  a  part  of  the 
training  of  the  student  whether  he  expects  to  become  a  market  gardener, 
a  florist,  a  forester,  or  to  deal  with  some  other  class  of  crops.  For  this 
purpose  there  is  provided  probably  the  best  and  largest  entomological 
building  in  the  country;  a  large  collection  of  insects  in  their  different 
stages,  microscopes  for  the  finer  work,  spraying  apparatus,  and  many 
other  facilities,  make  it  possible  to  give  the  work  in  an  unusually  complete 
manner. 

The  subject  is  begun  in  the  junior  year  in  a  broad  introductory 
way  covering  general  principles  applicable  in  all  sections  of  agriculture. 
In  the  senior  year  the  work  is  largely  individual  and  is  intended  so  far 
as  possible  to  meet  the  special  needs  of  each  person,  fitting  into  his  plans 
for  his  future  occupation.  The  call  for  men  specially  trained  in  this 
subject  has  also  led  to  the  establishment  of  graduate  courses;  men 
taking  these  become  experiment  station,  state  or  government  entomolo- 
gists, or  teachers  of  the  subject;  for  well-trained  men  in  these  lines  there 
is  a  constant  demand. 

21 


Plant  Physiology  and  Pathology 

It  is  the  aim  of  the  major  electives  in  botany  to  supply  information 
and  to  train  students  in  special  lines  of  botany  closely  related  to  agricul- 
ture. As  students  elect  these  subjects  with  different  purposes  in  mind, 
the  various  courses  differ  widely  in  the  degree  of  technical  training 
afforded. 

The  equipment  for  this  work  includes  a  building,  greenhouses, 
microscopes  and  very  complete  apparatus.  Practically  two  courses  are 
offered  in  plant  pathology.  One  gives  the  student  an  opportunity  to 
study  the  common  diseases  of  plants  and  their  remedies;  on  this  subject 
a  large  amount  of  literature,  including  experiment  station  bulletins, 
is  to  be  had  in  the  laboratory;  this  course  is  designed  especially  for 
horticultural  and  agricultural  students  who  wish  to  become  more  pro- 


Clark  Hall-Botany 


ficient  in  recognizing  fungous  and  bacterial  diseases  of  plants  and  methods 
ofjcontrol.  A  more  technical  course  is  also  given,  having  for  its  object 
a  study  of  the  life  histories  of  economic  fungi  and  bacteria;  this  is  de- 
signed as  a  foundation  for  those  who  wish  to  pursue  further  studies  in 
plant  pathology  and  allied  subjects. 

An  extensive  course  is  given  in  experimental  plant  physiology 
which  is  correlated  with  physiological  chemistry;  this  affords  a  founda- 
tion for  further  work  in  plant  physiology  and  allied  subjects  and  fits 
onejor  teaching  agriculture  in  secondary  schools. 

The  course  in  shade-tree  management  and  the  physiology  and  path- 
ology of  trees  includes  a  comprehensive  study  of  the  structure  and 
diseases  of  shade  trees,  and  is  designed  as  a  fundamental  course  for 
those  engaged  in  city  forestry,  tree  warden  and  park  work,  and  for  pro- 
fessional tree  surgeons. 

22 


Agricultural  Education 

The  primary  purpose  of  this  major  is  the  preparation  of  teachers 
of  agriculture  and  the  related  sciences.  Some  of  the  courses  given  in  the 
department  are  valuable  for  all  students  of  social  questions  aside  from 
this  primary  aim.  At  present  a  large  proportion  of  the  major  is  given  by 
the  department  of  agricultural  education,  the  other  courses  being  taken 
in  the  various  scientific  and  technical  departments  of  the  College;  the 
entire  equipment  of  these  departments  is  at  the  service  of  those  preparing 
to  teach,  just  as  for  other  students.  The  work  prescribed  for  individual 
students  depends  upon  their  previous  training  in  science,  technical  studies 
and  practical  experience.  Experience  in  farm  operations  reaching  through 
a  complete  cycle  of  production  and  marketing  will  be  required  of  all 
applying  for  certificates  to  teach  agriculture. 

Opportunities  for  teachers  of  agriculture  are  increasing  rapidly;  at 
the  present  time,  the  compensation  for  this  work  is  more  attractive  than 
in  most  other  lines  of  teaching.  In  1911  forty-six  requests  for  teachers  of 
agriculture  came  to  the  office  of  the  department  of  agricultural  education. 
The  average  salary,  when  stated,  was  $1,000  per  year  and  in  some  cases 
$2,000  a  year  was  named  as  the  sum  to  be  paid.  These  requests  came 
from  nearly  all  parts  of  the  country. 


Veterinary  Laboratory 


23 


i^^5i^J^^^i, 


Chapel  and  Library 

Other  Departments 

Not  all  departments  offering  elective  courses  during  the  junior 
and  senior  years  are  represented  by  the  majors  as  previously  outlined. 
Thus  at  present  no  major  course  is  presented  in  the  departments  of  market 
gardening,  farm  administration  or  rural  sociology;  in  fact,  however, 
these  departments  and  others  offer  various  elective  courses  which  well 
cover  their  subjects.  Comprehensive  courses  are  also  available  in  bac- 
teriology, veterinary  science,  bee  keeping,  mathematics  and  engineering, 
physics,  zoology,  economics  and  sociology,  history  and  government, 
English  and  modern  languages. 

Military  drill  and  physical  education  are  required  of  all  students  for 
three  years  and  are  optional  the  last  year. 

For  all  departments  of  the  institution  there  are  offered  the  advantages 
of  a  well-equipped  library,  for  which  purpose  the  first  floor  of  the  Chapel 
building  is  used.  Here  are  collected  nearly  40,000  bound  volumes.  In 
the  reading  room  is  found  an  ample  supply  of  daily,  weekly  and  monthly 
publications,  many  of  which  are  scientific  in  character.  The  students 
voluntarily  make  an  extensive  use  of  the  library. 


24 


Unclassified  Students 

Occasionally  there  apply  for  admission  to  the  College  mature  men  or 
women  who  are  unable  to  spend  at  the  institution  the  time  required  to 
finish  the  complete  course.  Usually  such  persons  desire  to  obtain  the 
best  training  possible  in  one  or  two  years  for  some  special  branch  of 
practical  agriculture  or  horticulture.  That  such  applicants  may  be 
benefited  by  the  College,  they  are  admitted  as  unclassified  students:  that 
is,  they  are  not  a  member  of  any  of  the  four  regular  classes  but  may  take 
college  studies  with  those  pursuing  the  full  course.  Only  those  are  per- 
mitted to  enroll  as  unclassified  students  who  are  at  least  twenty -one  years 
old  and  who  have  completed  a  high-school  course;  other  special  regula- 
tions also  apply  to  such  students  after  entering. 


The  Graduate  School 

College  graduates  may  under  prescribed  conditions  enter  the  gradu- 
ate school.  Advanced  study  may  be  elected  in  agriculture,  botany,  chem- 
istry, entomology,  horticulture,  mathematics,  veterinary  science  and 
zoology.  The  degree  of  Master  of  Science  requires  one  and  a  half  years' 
study  and  the  degree  of  Doctor  of  Philosophy  requires  three  years. 

For  several  years  the  graduate  courses  have  been  well  patronized 
but  the  development  of  the  school  has  been  delayed  by  lack  of  necessary 
funds.  Recently  a  director  of  the  graduate  school  has  been  engaged  who 
will  thoroughly  organize  the  work  and  extend  the  field  of  its  service. 

There  is  always  a  demand  for  experts  with  the  special  training 
afforded  by  a  graduate  school  of  agriculture  and  invariably  an  attrac- 
tive position  awaits  the  man  who  completes  the  work  required  for  an 
advanced  degree. 

A  limited  number  of  graduate  assistantships  are  available  at  the 
College  for  men  qualified  to  render  laboratory  or  teaching  assistance, 
and  who  at  the  same  time  wish  to  engage  in  post-graduate  study. 


25 


I  ti  n 


V—X' 


Stock  Judging  at  West  Brookfield  Extension  School 
(First  Agricultural  Extension  School  to  be  held  in  New^  England) 


Short  Courses  and  Extension  Service 

It  is  through  the  organization  of  Short  Courses  and  various  types 
of  Extension  Service  that  the  College  seeks  to  perform  its  mission  of 
carrying  agricultural  knowledge  and  of  rendering  assistance  in  other 
forms  to  all  the  people  of  the  state  who  have  rural  interests. 

Early  in  January  the  winter  school  of  agriculture  opens  and  continues 
ten  weeks;  the  last  week  of  this  term  is  devoted  especially  to  instruction 
in  poultry  husbandry.  Following  the  winter  school  comes  the  farmers' 
week;  this  is  a  four  days'  meeting  at  the  College  with  a  series  of  lectures 
and  demonstrations  devoted  chiefly  to  agriculture,  horticulture  and 
home  economics;  several  hundred  men  and  women  who  find  it  impossible 
to  leave  home  for  a  longer  period  visit  the  College  annually  on  this  occa- 
sion and  find  much  to  assist  them  in  their  practical  problems  on  the  farm 
and  in  the  home. 

Later  in  the  spring  a  bee  keepers'  course  is  offered  and  during  the 
vacation  months  a  summer  school  of  agriculture  and  country  life  is  held; 
this  usually  terminates  with  a  special  conference  for  rural  social  workers. 

The  Extension  Service  activities  away  from  the  College  are  repre- 
sented in  part  by  correspondence  and  lecture  courses,  itinerant  schools 
of  agriculture,  demonstration  orchards,  traveling  libraries,  boys'  and 
girls'  corn  and  potato  clubs,  and  district  field  agents. 


26 


The  Experiment  Station 

The  Agricultural  Experiment  Station  of  Massachusetts  is  located  on 
the  estate  of  the  Agricultural  College  and  is  a  part  of  that  institution. 
Here  are  conducted  extensive  experimental  projects  dealing  with  agri- 
cultural practices,  and  experts  are  constantly  engaged  in  scientific 
research  seeking  to  discover  new  laws  of  nature  and  their  application  to 
the  agricultural  industry. 

Some  of  the  problems  in  which  the  experiment  station  is  at  present 
particularly  interested  are  those  connected  with  the  use  of  fertilizers, 
plant  breeding,  plant  diseases  and  insects,  orcharding  and  poultry 
husbandry. 

Students  fitting  themselves  for  positions  in  experiment  stations  are 
thus  fortunate  in  their  opportunity  to  observe  these  methods  and  results 
of  scientific  study  and  to  come  into  personal  relation  with  those  already 
experienced  in  their  own  profession. 

The  Experiment  Station  issues  technical  bulletins  giving  the  results 
of  its  investigations,  and  its  officers  annually  answer  thousands  of  in- 
quiries of  a  practical  or  scientific  nature. 


One  of  the  Experiment  Station  Buildings 


27 


Student  Life 


?J 


Student  life  at  M.  A.  C.  has  many  attractive  features  and  offers 
large  opportunity  for  leadership. 

All  students  are  members  of  the  Social  Union;  this  organization  is 
the  expression  of  a  desire  on  the  part  of  students  and  faculty  to  provide 

a  definite  means  of  stimula- 
ting a  democratic  social  spirit 
among  all  students,  alumni 
and  officers  of  the  College. 
This  purpose  of  the  Union  is 
carried  out  in  part  through  a 
series  of  entertainments  and 
informal  social  gatherings 
which  are  held  on  Saturday 
evenings  during  the  autumn 
and  winter  months  and  which 
are  free  to  members  of  the 
college  community.  The  stu- 
dents have  also  purchased 
suitable  furnishings  for  a  read- 
ing and  lounging  room  on  the  first  floor  of  North  College  dormitory 
and  have  equipped  in  connection  with  this  a  game  room  and  a  trophy 
room.  The  Union  is  supported  by  a  small  annual  fee  which  is  collected 
from  all  students  at  the  opening  of  the  college  year. 

A  body  of  students  consisting  of  five  seniors  and  four  juniors  are 
elected  as  a  "Senate;"  the  function  of  these  men  is  to  govern  general 
matters  pertaining  to  student  life,  to  establish  and  enforce  certain  rules 
for  student  conduct,  and  to  represent  before  the  faculty  the  interests  of 
the  student  body. 


Social  Union  Room 


Battalion 

28 


The  Y.  M.  C.  A.  endeavors  to  promote  Christian  character  among 
all  the  men  of  the  College,  and  to  enlist  the  men  in  Christian  and  social 
service  wherever  an  op- 
portunity for  this  is 
presented.  To  this  end 
weekly  meetings  are 
held,  and  during  a  part 
of  the  year  Bible  study 
classes  are  conducted; 
the  members  assume 
social,  educational  and 
religious  leadership  in 
Amherst  and  in  the 
nearby  towns,  by  or- 
ganizing boys'  clubs, 
conducting  Bible  classes, 
teaching  foreigners  and 
furnishing  musical  enter- 
tainments. 

A  Catholic  club  has 
also  been  organized. 

A  prominent  place  is  given  to  intercollegiate  athletics;  relations  are 
maintained  with  Amherst,  Dartmouth,  Williams,  Brown,  Springfield  and 
other  New  England  colleges.     The  principal  sports  participated  in  are 


M.  A.  C.  Students  Teaching  English  to  PoHsh  People] 


Hockey  Team,  1911-12 

football,  baseball,  track,  hockey  and  tennis;  a  large  area  of  land  is 
available  for  an  enclosed  athletic  field  and  recreation  ground,  and  it  is 
expected  that  funds  will  soon  be  provided  to  properly  fit  this  land  for  use. 
A  rifle  club  was  organized  a  few  years  ago  and  has  met  with  singular 
success  in  both  its  indoor  and  outdoor  meets.    A  band  is  maintained  in 

29 


connection  with  the  military  department.  Musical,  debating  and  dra- 
matic clubs  attract  those  interested  in  these  activities.  Several  profes- 
sional societies  also  exist,  chiefly  in  the  departments  of  agriculture, 
horticulture  and  entomology.  Stock  and  fruit  judging  teams  annually 
represent  the  College  in  public  contests. 

A  college  newspaper  and  a  year  book  are  published  by  the  students. 

Secret  societies  hold  a  prominent  place  in  the  student  life  of  the 
College;  at  present  there  are  nine  such  organizations,  several  of  them 
being  affiliated  with  national  Greek  letter  fraternities. 

Various  purely  social  activities  are  managed  by  committees  elected 
from  the  student  body. 

College  classes  are  scheduled  for  five  days  each  week,  Saturday  being 
left  free.  Ordinarily  the  students  are  brought  together  in  the  chapel  on 
four  days  for  simple  devotional  exercises  and  for  announcements;  on  the 
fifth  day  a  general  assembly  is  held,  before  which  some  prominent  man 
not  connected  with  the  College  frequently  speaks.  During  a  portion 
of  the  year,  Sunday  services  are  held  at  9:15  a.  m.;  a  clergyman  or  dis- 
tinguished layman  is  secured  for  such  gatherings. 


Baseball  Team,  1912 

The  Cost 

For  the  most  part  the  students  at  M.  A.  C.  live  economically;  neces- 
sary expenses  are  moderate  and  the  various  phases  of  student  life  have 
not  the  expensive  features  which  prevail  at  many  institutions.  Tuition 
is  free  to  residents  of  Massachusetts;  thus  the  main  items  of  expense  are 
those  for  board,  room,  laundry,  books,  military  uniform,  taxes  volun- 
tarily assessed  for  the  support  of  various  student  activities,  and  mis- 
cellaneous personal  expenses.  The  average  student  spends  about  $300  a 
year,  although  the  amount  varies  with  each  individual. 

30 


Living  Accommodations 


At  present  the  College 
has  two  small  dormitories 
which  together  contain 
rooms  for  about  sixty-five 
men;  upperclassmen  have 
the  first  choice  in  selecting 
these  quarters.  Two  stu- 
dents occupy  a  suite  of  two 
or  three  rooms;  the  cost  of 
these  unfurnished  suites, 
steam  heated  and  lighted 
by  electricity,  ranges  from 
$39  to  $66  per  year  for  each 
occupant.  Efforts  have 
been  made  to  secure  ap- 
propriations from  the  legis- 
lature for  added  dormitory 
facilities,  but  thus  far  with- 
out success. 

Most  of  the  students,  therefore,  are  obliged  to  live  in  private  houses 
located  near  the  college  grounds.  Such  rooms  should  be  secured  well 
in  advance  whenever  possible  as  the  demand  for  them  is  great.  Com- 
fortable rooms  may  be  rented  at  prices  varying  from  $1.25  to  $3.00  a 
week  for  each  student;  they  are  generally  furnished  either  completely 
or  in  part,  lighted,  heated  and  cared  for. 

The  College  manages  a  large  dining  hall  where  board  may  be  ob- 
tained at  reasonable  cost;  the  price  of  board  is  usually  about  $4.00  per 
week.  A  lunch  room  is  also  operated  in  connection  with  the  regular  dining 
hall. 


North  College  Dormitory 


The  Dining  Hall 


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To  Needy  Students 

Many  of  the  students  of  M.  A.  C.  are  obliged  to  earn  a  part  of  their 
expenses  and  a  few  are  dependent  entirely  upon  their  own  efforts  for  a 
college  education.  The  College  is  glad  to  help  needy  students  both  by 
offering  them  employment  in  some  department  or  by  obtaining  work  for 
them  away  from  the  institution.  The  most  responsible  positions  at  the 
College  are  the  most  remunerative  and  are  assigned  to  students  who  have 
been  at  the  institution  for  some  time;  accordingly  the  newcomer  should 
not  expect  to  earn  as  much  money  s  first  year  as  he  sees  some  of  the 
older  men  earning.  It  is  not  advisa  .e  for  a  student  to  attempt  his  col- 
lege course  until  he  has  enough  ready  money  to  carry  him  through  a  good 
part  of  his  first  year,  as  under  existing  circumstances  it  is  practically 
impossible  for  him  to  pay  all  his  expenses  from  the  outset  and  at  the 
same  time  do  creditable  class-room  work. 

In  all  cases  consideration  has  to  be  given  to  the  efficiency  and  ability 
as  well  as  to  the  need  of  the  applicant  for  work. 

Occasionally  there  come  opportunities  for  vacation  work  for  men 
who  are  specializing  in  certain  departments.  Experience  gained  in  this 
manner  is  usually  of  large  value  to  the  men  as  it  gives  them  additional 
training  as  well  as  assisting  them  financially. 


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